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Black Gives Way To Blue
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 15 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 75 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Virgin
Release Date: 29 September 2009
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rock, Metal
Summary
The band's first album in more than 14 years was produced with Nick Raskulinecz and features new lead singer William DuVall (original singer Layne Staley died in 2002).
Also By This Artist: Live
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Q Magazine
A stunning return. [Oct 2009, p.116]
All Music Guide
While they'll never be mistaken for a feel-good band, there is a palpable sense of relief that they get to play together again as a band, and what's remarkable is that they still sound like themselves, capturing that weird murk halfway between '80s metal and '90s northwestern sludge, reminding us that we were missing something in their absence.
Read Full Review >Sputnikmusic
It is a legitimately excellent record that lives up to (and sometimes even exceeds) the song writing standards set by the band on "Dirt" or "Jar of Flies."
Read Full Review >Lost At Sea
Some of the songs even stack up against the band's original catalogue.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
DuVall, along with the rest of Alice In Chains, has turned a questionable career move into a moving tribute--and a shockingly decent album.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
At heart, this is a back-to-basics album a la "Death Magnetic" or R.E.M.’s "Accelerate;" not essential, but definitely worth a look.
Read Full Review >Billboard.com
The band's classic, downtuned stomp could easily pass for an unreleased track from the "Dirt" era and is sure to keep longtime fans feeling pleasantly dystopic.
Read Full Review >Drowned In Sound
When AiC hit home though, as they often do, Black Gives Way To Blue becomes the quiet triumph it set out to be.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe
While there are a few lulls, none are glaringly offensive, and the band builds up so much good will with the stronger material that it’s easy to surrender again to these Chains.
Read Full Review >Mojo
A decent return, Alice mostly impresses despite the limiting permutations of their angst. [Nov 2009, p.94]
Uncut
Now regrouped by leader Jerry Cantrell, the bands' sound is still full of menace, melody and doom, chock full of Cantrell's trademark heavy riffs. [Dec 2009, p. 85]
Hot Press
There’s still something oddly admirable about Alice In Chains’ stubborn refusal to change.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
What Black lacks are great tunes and a sense of can't-look-away drama.
Read Full Review >Spin
As with latter efforts Jar of Flies and Alice in Chains, Black's most tender moments ('Private Hell') are its most essential. And while William DuVall is a serviceable Staley impressionist, this comeback would register with more purpose had guitarist Jerry Cantrell assumed the vocal lead.
Read Full Review >NOW Magazine
ew singer William DuVall spends half his time replicating Staley’s nasal misanthropy and the other half buried by Cantrell’s vocals.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 75 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Andrew R. gave it a9:
Once again the critics show themselves to be fools with no taste. This is a brilliant album that rivals anything with Layne. A little bit more mellow than their older work, but this isn't surprising since they're all into middle age. A must-buy.
Srikanth C gave it a9:
Great album! Typical AIC stuff. I like that very much.
Sam P. gave it a6:
Heavy, grimy, depressing, and thundering, guaranteed to make the listener reconsider suicide. Alice In Chains does it well but the impact is marred by a lack of energy, complimented by stale vocal performances, which makes the album a chore to listen to instead of an enjoyment. Not recommended for first-time AIC listeners.
Ian C gave it a9:
Love it love it. We saw Alice in Chains play in Paris last week and what really hit home was how well these new tracks mix with the old, keeping the style we know and love with some serious groove and soul brought by the FABULOUS new front man, and kudos to him for having the courage to step into such massive shoes. Alice in Chains were always all music and zero grunge attitude, just a bunch of guys who love what they do and this CD oozes that quality.
Javier S. gave it an8:
One of the best albums of 2009 hands down!
Ewout C gave it an8:
Very good recording, great comeback. There is not one song that is weak, they are all of a high standard.
Chris F gave it a9:
More dragging than most have hanging.
